tell me about your television

It's been about 6 months since we purchased the totally amazing Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U Plasma HDTV.

We really couldn't be any more pleased with this TV. Blu-ray movies from our PlayStation 3, TiVO HD, and both standard def and high def live television are just gorgeous.

As part of our move, we're looking for a small television for the kitchen. We expect to be watching television, and occasionally plugging the laptops in for Web browsing. The space is just perfect for a 26" television and even though I see some better deals in 32" TVs, I don't think we can squeeze in anything that large. We're also going to be viewing from pretty oblique angles at least some of the time so one of the newer IPS or S-PVA panels with the 170+° viewing angle would be good.

It doesn't look like you can get 1080p panels at this size unless you go to pretty expensive image and video professional LCD computer monitors (or maybe the LG 26LU55 that I can't find anywhere, perhaps not released yet?) so even though we're going to be up close and personal with this screen on occasion, it looks like we have to settle for 720p. It shouldn't be a problem with this small of a screen and a 4-5 foot viewing distance for most TV watching.

Our requirements, then, are 26", good off-angle viewing, D-sub PC input, 2 or more HDMI inputs, and maybe a swivel stand.

So, as with the previous purchase, I've read up at a lot of the online review sites, I've done my price watching, and I've narrowed it down to four that look pretty good.

The first TV we're looking at is the Panasonic VIERA TC-L26X1 26" LCD TV. This Panny has the right inputs but no swivel stand. One negative is that the side inputs are analog only and don't include one of the TV's two HDMI inputs. It does have an iPod dock and on-screen iPod controls, though I have no idea if we'd use that. I haven't seen this display in person, and while Panasonic doesn't list the wide viewing angle at their website, (and identifies the panel as VA,) several sites selling the TV do report a 178° viewing angle and even claim the IPS or IPS Alpha panel. I'm assuming that the retail sites are wrong and Panasonic's site is right. I'll have to confirm that in person. It sure would be nice if it did look good from oblique angles. I'm guessing it doesn't.

The second TV we're considering is the Samsung LN26B460 26" LCD TV. It has the HDMI and VGA inputs but no swivel stand. This TV gets solid reviews online -- especially high praise for it's color and excellent contrast in direct viewing, but it also appears to use the less good for off-angle viewing PVA panel rather than Samsung's S-PVA panel which is available in the larger screens. Once again, the 26" seems to get the short shaft. The side inputs and the "touch of color" are both nice and would work quite well in our kitchen.

Next up is the Sony BRAVIA KDL-26L5000 26" LCD TV. It's got the necessary inputs including a convenient side HDMI input but an inconvenient no-swivel stand. Sony doesn't disclose panel type, but given the advertised 176° viewing angle, I think this one is probably S-PVA. The aesthetics of this TV, though, are pretty bad. How anyone can call it stylish is beyond me. I'll have to take a look at this in person to see if the off-angle viewing really is that solid and to decide if I can live with a chunky ThinkPad-like design. A bonus feature with the Sony is PC picture in picture mode so you can surf the Web an watch TV at the same time. Might be cool.

The last TV on our list is the LG 26LH20 26" LCD TV. Like the others, it's got the inputs we need, but not the convenience of HDMI side input. LG claims 178° viewing angle on this one, and a pretty amazing contrast ratio so I think it's one of their newest S-IPS panels. It's also got something the others don't, a swivel stand. Solid off-angle viewing and a not too horrible looking bezel and stand, might just be enough for us.

So, the Sony and the LG will probably lead and unless we hear something really great about the Sammy or the Panny from one of you all, those probably won't make the cut.

Finally, maybe we'll just wait it out until someone starts shipping the LG 26LU55 which has a swivel stand, side inputs, great contrast, 1920x1080 resolution, and a fairly attractive design.

reactions, thoughts, comments, etc.